[Lancaster] Help stop the extension of copyrights on soundrecordings. -- was: [Fwd: [CovLUG-Chat] OT copyright reductionpetition]

[Phil Chandler]

Also the UK Intellectual Property office have published a consultation
paper on the Gower's Report, asking for submissions by April 8th:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/consult-copyrightexceptions.pdf

Gower's Report:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/gowers_review_intellec
tual_property/gowersreview_index.cfm

Phil 

-----Original Message-----
From: lancaster-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk
[mailto:lancaster-bounces at mailman.lug.org.uk] On Behalf Of Martyn Welch
Sent: 02 March 2008 11:02
To: lancaster at mailman.lug.org.uk
Subject: Re: [Lancaster] Help stop the extension of copyrights on
soundrecordings. -- was: [Fwd: [CovLUG-Chat] OT copyright
reductionpetition]

On Saturday 01 March 2008 22:58:42 Richard Smedley wrote:
> coincidentally...
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> From: Richard Kay <rich at copsewood.net>
> Reply-To: chat at lists.covlug.org.uk
> To: chat at lists.covlug.org.uk
> Subject: [CovLUG-Chat] OT copyright reduction petition
> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:11:27 +0000
>
> This isn't strictly to do with Linux, but I guess those who are 
> interested in free software are likely to be supportive of proposals 
> to limit excessive copyright terms. Supporing reduction of copyright 
> terms will also send a signal that oppressive measures to enforce 
> copyright are unpopular, while the principle of proportionate reward 
> to creators of work is not being challenged.
>

Whilst I very broadly agree...

> So I have created a petition to limit copyright terms to a maximum of 
> 20 years. This would benefit the development of free software by 
> making it possible to consider proprietary software developed 20 or 
> more years ago, for which the source code is available, as public 
> domain material.
> Other arts are likely to benefit in a similar way.
>

This will also have other side effects. Such as proprietary software
companies being able to exploit 20 year old opensource software without
worrying. There is also a good chance that it won't help the open source
developers - as the system stands the proprietary software companies are
under no obligation to release any code relating to their 20 year old
products. We'll just end up with near useless 20 year old free binaries
(if you can find those).

I think that the issue of software patents is still far more pressing. 
Software patents stop the re-implementation of an idea, rather than
straight copying of the code.

> In practice it is likely that having copyright terms of longer than 20

> years actually discouraged the creation of new work, as this makes it 
> more difficult to reuse older materials when the rights owner is no 
> longer traceable.
>

Though I do agree that some opportunities would be a little more open
here.

> Personally I don't know any artist, writer, songwriter or programmer 
> who would have refused to create something because of loss of sales 
> more than 20 years after the work was first published. This isn't why 
> people are creative.

I agree. Though I think the length may be quite important to some -
especially where large amounts of investment are needed.

> If you are a UK citizen and agree, the petition is at:
>
> http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ShortenCopyright/
>
> Please do circulate this, or your own reasons for supporting it, to 
> your other networks as you think appropriate.
>

Martyn

-- 

Martyn Welch (martyn at welchs.me.uk)

PGP Key : http://www.welchs.me.uk/martyn/pgpkey/